natural law theory

in ethics and political philosophy, the position that there are certain ethical principles that are true and universal, originating in the very nature of reality itself or in the decrees of a divine law giver. In the dominant strain of natural law theory, it is assumed that these principles can be discerned by reason and apply only to beings capable of rational thought. Natural law theory can be traced back to the ancient Greek Stoic philosophers; it strongly influenced Roman law and was subsequently developed by Christian philosophers of the Middle Ages (see Scholasticism) and later periods. Compare relativism.

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Psychology term of the day

January 30th 2025

realistic group conflict theory

a conceptual framework predicated on the assumption that intergroup tensions will occur whenever social groups must compete for scarce resources (e.g., food, territory, jobs, wealth, power, natural resources) and that this competition fuels prejudice and other antagonistic attitudes that lead to conflicts such as rivalries and warfare. Also called realistic conflict theory.